Chapter 2 - Angel's POV

Angel's POV

The large meeting room buzzed with hushed conversations as everyone waited. The dark wooden walls seemed to absorb our whispers, making the space feel even more solemn. I fidgeted in my chair, excitement bubbling up inside me. Alpha Mark never called meetings without good reason.

"What do you think it's about?" Lea whispered from beside me, her green eyes sparkling with curiosity.

I shrugged, remembering our last mission. "Maybe another rogue situation? Like that time we helped the Silver Moon Pack?" The memory of that fight still made my blood sing - the thrill of the chase, the satisfaction of protecting the innocent.

'Mark?' I reached out through our mind link, unable to wait any longer.

His deep voice echoed in my head, amused. 'Patience, kid. I'm right here.'

The heavy doors swung open, and Mark strode in. Even after five years, his presence still commanded respect. His salt-and-pepper hair and battle scars told stories of experience that we could only imagine.

The room fell silent as he took his place at the head of the table. No small talk, as usual. "I received a call for help from an old friend," he began, his voice grave. "Their pack is struggling. Their warriors lack proper training, and they need experienced fighters to whip them into shape."

My heart raced. Another mission! This was perfect - a chance to prove myself again.

"I've selected a team," Mark continued, his eyes scanning the room. "Kayden, Aden, Simon, Lea, and Angel."

Wait. Something felt off. Mark had never let me leave the territory before, always insisting it was too dangerous. Why now?

"Hold on," I interrupted, earning a few surprised looks. Nobody interrupted Alpha Mark. "You've spent years keeping me here, and suddenly you want me to go? What changed?"

Mark met my gaze steadily. "You're the best fighter we have, Angel. You know that. And you're familiar with this territory."

My stomach dropped. Familiar territory? But I rarely left... except...

"Which pack?" Kayden asked, voicing the question I was too afraid to ask.

Mark's eyes never left mine as he answered, "The Moon Crescent Pack."

The world seemed to tilt sideways. Memories I'd tried so hard to bury came rushing back - Gabriel's cruel words, Michael's indifference, the crushing weight of rejection.

"No." My voice came out stronger than I felt. "Absolutely not. Send someone else. We have plenty of skilled fighters. I can stay here, help with training the younger ones, or-"

"Angel," Mark cut me off, his tone leaving no room for argument. "This isn't a request. It's an order."

The others filed out quietly, leaving just Kayden and me with Mark. My hands were shaking, but I clenched them into fists. "You don't understand. I can't go back there."

"Can't? Or won't?" Mark's voice softened slightly. "It's been five years, kid. You're not the same person who left."

'He's right,' Slade whispered in my mind. 'We're stronger now.'

But was I strong enough to face my past? To see Gabriel again? Would Lani even want to see me after I disappeared with just a note?

"Everyone else is dismissed," Mark announced. "Except Kayden. We need to talk."

As the room emptied, I stayed rooted to my chair, mind racing. Return to Moon Crescent Pack? The place where my heart was shattered? The home I'd fled from in the middle of the night?

'Maybe,' Slade suggested cautiously, 'it's time to show them exactly what they lost.'

But the thought of seeing those familiar faces, walking those familiar halls... Could I really do this?

Mark's voice pulled me from my thoughts. "Angel, look at me." When I did, his eyes were full of understanding. "I know what happened there. But running away didn't heal you - it just gave you a place to hide while you got stronger. Maybe it's time to stop hiding."

I wanted to argue, to fight back, to refuse. But deep down, I knew he was right. I had spent five years building myself up, becoming someone new. Someone stronger.

Maybe it was time to face my past. But was I really ready for what - and who - was waiting for me there?

Mark's expression softened as the others left, but his eyes remained intense. "I knew you'd fight this, Angel. But think about it - this isn't just a mission. This is your chance to show them who you've become. That scared girl they pushed around? She's gone. You're not running away anymore - you're walking back in as a warrior."

Slade's presence stirred within me, her energy pulsing with determination.

'He's speaking the truth,' she growled. 'We've been hiding in the shadows, but for what? Look at us now. We're feared. Respected. Let them see what they threw away.'

I fidgeted with my sleeve. 'But what if I freeze up when I see them?'

'WE won't freeze,' Slade's voice was steel. 'Remember who we are now. I'm the strongest wolf anyone's ever seen. They can't touch us anymore. Not Gabriel, not Michael, not anyone.'

Drawing a deep breath, I met Mark's gaze. "Alright. Count me in. When do we leave?"

His approval was subtle - just a slight nod. "Five AM tomorrow. It's a day's drive. No forest routes - too many rogues lately. I've got your travel permits sorted for crossing pack territories."

"Yes, Alpha," Kayden and I responded together.

---

Later, in my room, Kayden watched me throw clothes into my bag. "Level with me - how are you really feeling about this?"

I collapsed onto my bed, staring at the ceiling. "Honestly? I'm terrified. Five years of running, and now... what if they didn't even look for me? What if they were glad I was gone?" My voice cracked slightly. "But I can't keep hiding forever."

The bed dipped as Kayden sat beside me, taking my hands in his. His touch was warm, grounding. "Hey. You're not that lone wolf anymore. I've got your back, every step of the way."

"You and Mark..." I squeezed his hands. "You saved my life. Before I found this pack, I thought I'd die alone in the woods somewhere."

"And you saved us right back," Kayden said softly. "Mark was a shell after losing his sister. You brought the light back to this place."

I pushed him playfully. "Okay, enough with the sappy stuff. Go pack! I need my beauty sleep."

His grin was infectious. "Right, because getting you up tomorrow will be like waking the dead. Try not to overthink everything tonight?"

After he left, I sprawled across my bed, the silence suddenly heavy.

'Do you think Michael even misses us?' I asked Slade.

Her response was sharp. 'Forget that excuse for a brother. What about Gabriel? Because if he tries anything - if he even looks at us wrong - I won't hold back this time.'

'You're always ready for a fight,' I sighed. 'We're not like that.'

'The weak get crushed, Angel. We learned that lesson the hard way.'

I swallowed hard before voicing the question that had haunted me for years. 'Slade... do you still feel anything for Claw?'

'Do you still feel anything for Gabriel?' she shot back.

The silence stretched between us. How could I answer when I wasn't sure myself? If Gabriel was still cruel, still cold, these lingering feelings would finally die. But that tiny spark of hope wouldn't go out - maybe he'd changed. Maybe...

'If he hasn't,' I promised myself, 'this time I'll accept the rejection. For good.'

Looking out my window at the moon, I whispered, "Moon Goddess, whatever you're planning... Please give me strength."

The stars twinkled back, offering no answers to the questions keeping me awake.